Severe storms and flooding have been battering the U.S. since April. Most recently, a massive tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, killing at least 117 people. The storm damaged over 2,000 buildings, or as much as 30% of the city. Rescue crews are still working to locate survivors.

Episcopal Relief & Development is responding through the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri to meet immediate needs with food, gas cards and temporary shelter, and is standing by to assist as the rescue phase shifts into recovery.

Please visit Episcopal Relief & Development's website, www.er-d.org, for updated information on the storms and affected communities and to assist those in need by making an immediate, convenient and secure contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development's USA Disaster Response Fund.

Grass-Cutters Needed

Please help us save over $3,000 this summer by volunteering your time to cut the grass. We are in need of weekly volunteers. You can cut the grass any day of the week, as long as it is cut by Sunday in preparation for the Sunday services. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the hallway near parish hall. For more information, please contact Beirne Donaldson at 973-543-2633 (home) or 973-476-0410 (cell).

Music Survey

As we prepare to call a new organist, please take a moment to fill out our Music Survey to help us better understand your musical wants and needs. Forms can be found in the narthex, or click here to download a survey.

50/50 Raffle Fundraiser for Playground Equipment - Drawing to be held on Sunday, June 12th

Don't miss out on your chance to win big, while helping us to create an outdoor play space for the kids of St. John on the Mountain. Tickets will be sold for $10 a piece or three for $25. All proceeds will be split 50/50. Our goal is to raise $2,000. Tickets can be purchased on Sundays during coffee hour or stop by the office Monday-Thursday between 8:00am - 3:00pm. The drawing will be held during the Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 12th.

Parish Picnic

Mark your calendars in ink and plan to attend the Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 12th following the 10 am service. This event will occur rain or shine! We will be breaking out the grills and cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers! Parishioners are asked to sign up on the poster outside of the Parish Hall denoting how many family members will be attending and what side dish you will be bringing.

St. John's Night

Will be celebrated on Saturday, June 25, from 6pm-10pm, beginning with Evening Prayer at 6:30pm, at the home of Mikael and Beth Salovaara located at 170 Dryden Road, Bernardsville. BBQ and beverages will be provided. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share. Invite your friends. The famous Morash/Ray BBQ roast begins cooking mid morning; stop by any time to share the day with the cooks.

VBS Summer Camp returns to SJOTM - SAVE THE DATE for June 27th - 30th

Join us Monday - Thursday, from 9:30am - 12:00pm. Kids will get-together to create, connect, and journey together down Main Street where they will play sports, games, hear music, make snacks, listen to Bible stories, and make cool crafts! The cost is $60 per child pre-k through rising 4th grade. Space is limited. For more information, download a flier here and a registration form here.

Youth Volunteers Needed for Camp

Rising 7th Grade (and up) volunteers are needed to make camp a success! Credit for community service hours for school, scouts, and/or honor societies is available. For more information contact the office at 766-2282 or email office@sjotm.org .

Diocesan Trip to Ecuador

This year, we will work with our brothers and sisters in Puyo, a jungle town of 25,000 on the eastern Andean slope at the edge of the Amazon basin. There is work to be done on the farm and restoring the roof of the Episcopal parish. As is our custom, we will toil side by side with our hosts, our fellow Anglicans whose lives are intertwined with ours, seeking to do what our Lord asks - serve each other. We will meet, work and worship with various indigenous groups, including an Amazon Shuar Indian community. Join us as your diocese continues its journey in faith with our Ecuadorian companions. Estimated cost is $1390.90. Act quickly as space is limited to 20. For more details on the trip, contact Pete Ackerman 908-310-5202 or click here.

St. John on the Mountain

Weekly Calendar

May 29, The Sixth Sunday of Easter

8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Chapel

9:00 am Nursery Care, Room 2 Lower Level

Parish Choir rehearsal, Choir Room

10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church

11:15 am Coffee Hour, Parish Hall

May 30,Monday

Parish Office Closed

May 31, Tuesday

6:30 pm Music Profile Committee, Music Room

June 1, Wednesday

8:15 am Men's Bible Study, Meeting Room

4:00 pm Fencing Class, Parish Hall

June 2, Thursday

10:30 am Knitting Needles & Thread Group, Meeting Rm

12:15 pm Men's Luncheon, Morristown Club

June 5, The Seventh Sunday of Easter

8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Chapel

9:00 am Nursery Care, Room 2 Lower Level

Last Day of Rite 13, Parish House

Parish Choir rehearsal, Choir Room

10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church

Awards' Sunday

Last Day of Sunday School

11:15 am Coffee Hour, Parish Hall

Healing Service, Chapel

Summer Sundays on the Mountain

June 19 - September 4, 2011

The summer worship schedule begins on Sunday, June 19th. Throughout the summer months, we will offer one service each Sunday; Rite II, Holy Eucharist with music in the Church at 9:30am.

Professional Nursery Care will be offered on Sunday mornings from 9:15am-10:45am in Room 2 of the lower level.

A Simple Lemonade Hour will be offered each Sunday following the worship service, please sign up on the bulletin board to host.

Search & Discernment News

Transition to New Rector

Reaching Conclusion

The process to search for and discern well qualified candidates to serve as our new rector is nearing conclusion. Members of the Search and Discernment Committee have visited the churches and communities of selected clergy both in the US and England. The active candidates have been screened carefully with the objective of matching, as best possible, the specifications and desires of the congregation as outlined in the Parish Profile.

The next steps will include providing background and assessment information and final recommendations to the Vestry for at least two of the most qualified candidates. The Vestry will then make the selection decision regarding who to call to our Church as our new rector. The objective is to conclude this discernment work in June and to have the new person begin service here sometime in the summer consistent with Mother Melissa's own transition.

Our Committee has worked diligently so far and very much appreciates the suggestions, support and prayers of our Parish members. There will be more communications to follow as we come even closer to a successful conclusion to our transition.